As many of us can attest, massage is good medicine for stress, muscle tension, and pain. Not only does body work itself have benefits, the caring attention of another human being supplies psychological comfort and a sense of connection. According to the Mayo Clinic, massage, together with standard treatments, is a beneficial “complementary and alternative medicine.”
Most of us, if we’re lucky enough to have enjoyed a massage, could confirm that. Surrendering for blissful moments of treatment on a cushioned table while a professional massage therapist ministers to all your aches and pains—who wouldn’t enjoy that? Who wouldn’t go home feeling refreshed, ready for whatever comes next, after a massage?
Ongoing research suggests that in addition to the “feel good” elements and the easily identifiable relief of muscle aches and pains, there may be significant other massage benefits as well. The Mayo Clinic site lists anxiety, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, insomnia related to stress, soft tissue strains or injuries, and sports injuries among the conditions positively affected by massage. Even some less familiar, more complex issues seem to benefit from massage treatments. These include myofascial pain syndrome, (often called “referred pain,” resulting from repetitive motion used in jobs or hobbies or by stress-related muscle tension) and even temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ).
Of course, massage benefits may not be readily available to everyone, and many of us struggle to find time in our busy lives to book an appointment with a CMT (Certified Massage Therapist). Finding a practitioner who is “just right” for you—who uses the style of massage most effective for your particular complaints—may also take some time. For that reason, some folks look to the massage chair alternative.
We’re happy to provide information about how a quality chair can provide these same advantages.
And despite its benefits, massage isn’t meant as a substitute for regular medical care. Be sure to follow any standard treatment as directed by your doctor.
Sources:
“Never Had a Massage? What You Should Know.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Dec. 2015, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743.
“Myofascial Pain Syndrome.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 9 Dec. 2014, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myofascial-pain-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20375444.
